[12/23/08 - 12:34 PM]NBC Ranks #2 in Adults 18-49 for the Week of DeC. 15-21, Paced by 'Sunday Night Football' and 'Biggest Loser'NBC spins the numbers for the week of December 15-21.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC RANKS #2 IN ADULTS 18-49 FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 15-21, PACED BY 'SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' AND 'BIGGEST LOSER'

NBC WINS THE WEEK IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34 AND ALL KEY ADULT-MALE DEMOS

NBC PROGRAMS THREE OF THE TOP 10 SHOWS OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND THREE OF THE TOP FIVE IN ADULTS 18-34

THE 'NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' PANTHERS-GAINTS GAME IS THE #1 TELECAST OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY MEASURES, PROPELLING NBC TO A SUNDAY WIN IN 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND ALL OTHER KEY MEASURES

'THE BIGGEST LOSER' FINALE IS THE #1 SHOW ON TUESDAY NIGHT AND TIED FOR THE #3 SHOW OF THE WEEK IN ADULTS 18-49, WINNING ITS TWO-HOUR SLOT IN ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-49 AND ADULTS, MEN AND WOMEN 18-34

TUESDAY'S FINALE OF 'BIGGEST LOSER 6' GIVES NBC A THREE-YEAR SLOT HIGH FOR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING, AND A TUESDAY PRIMETIME WIN IN ADULTS 18-49 AND OTHER KEY DEMOS

'HEROES' ON MONDAY HITS A SEVEN-WEEK HIGH IN ADULTS 18-49

ALSO ON MONDAY, 'CHUCK' DELIVERS ITS BIGGEST VIEWERSHIP OF THE SEASON AND MATCHES ITS HIGHEST 18-49 RATING SINCE PREMIERE WEEK

'MUPPETS CHRISTMAS' SPECIAL ON WEDNESDAY WINS ITS SLOT IN ADULTS 18-49, TOTAL VIEWERS AND OTHER MEASURES, HITTING AN 11-WEEK SLOT HIGH FOR NBC IN 18-49

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. � December 23, 2008 � Paced by "NBC Sunday Night Football" and the finale of "The Biggest Loser 6," NBC ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and within one-tenth of a rating point of first place for the week of December 15-21, with a 2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49 and 7.5 million viewers overall, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research. NBC won the week in adults, men and women 18-34, men18-49 and men 25-54.

The "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Carolina Panthers at the New York Giants was the #1 primetime program of the week in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, adults 18-34 and all key adult-male demographics. The finale of "The Biggest Loser 6" tied for #3 among all programs in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. Also ranking in the week's top 10 in adults 18-49 was "Heroes" (#10). (Note: weekly program rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

NBC dominated the top tier in the weekly program rankings among adults 18-34, with three telecasts in the top five in this valuable demographic - "NBC Sunday Night Football" (#1), "Heroes" (#3, tied) and "The Biggest Loser" (#5) (rankings exclude football overruns, post-game and pre-game telecasts).

"The Biggest Loser" was the #1 show of the week among women 18-34 and Wednesday's "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" was the #3 show of the week among kids 2-11.

Through the first 13 weeks of the 2008-09 season, NBC is now the "second youngest" of the major broadcast networks, with a median age of 46.1 years, only 1.0 year "older" than Fox (45.1 years). By comparison, ABC's median age is 50.0 and CBS's median age is 53.5. Season to date, NBC is running within 0.1 of a rating point of first place in adults 18-34 and 0.3 of a rating point of first place in adults 18-49.

* Also on Monday, "Chuck" delivered its biggest overall viewership of the season while matching its highest 18-49 rating since premiere week.

* On Tuesday, the finale of "The Biggest Loser 6" gave NBC its highest 18-49 rating with entertainment programming in its Tuesday time period in three years, winning its slot in adults 18-49 and other key measures. NBC won Tuesday night in adults 18-49 with its highest nightlong Tuesday average, excluding news and sports coverage, since April 15.

* The finale of "The Biggest Loser 6" generated the series' biggest overall viewership since the finale of "The Biggest Loser 2" in November 2005, and matched the show's highest 18-49 rating since the finale of "The Biggest Loser 3" in December 2006.

* "The Biggest Loser 6" finale outperformed the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Gabon," which aired two nights earlier, in adults 18-49 (4.6/12 vs. 4.4/10), marking the first time that a "Loser" finale topped a "Survivor" finale during the same quarter in primetime's key demographic.

* On Wednesday, the special, "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" won its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, kids 2-11, total viewers and other key measures, against all original programming on the major broadcast networks. The special scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the slot in 11 weeks.

Ratings reflect "live plus same day" data unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of "live plus seven day" data except for the two most recent weeks, which are "live plus same day."

Additional NBC highlights for the week of December 15-21:

On Monday, Dec. 15 from 8-9 p.m. ET, "Chuck" (2.6 rating, 7 share in adults 18-49, 7.7 million viewers overall) attracted its biggest total viewership of the season and matched its highest 18-49 rating since premiere week. Versus the prior week, "Chuck" increased by 8 percent in 18-49 rating (2.6/7 vs.2.4/6) and by 10 percent in total viewers (7.7 million vs. 6.9 million). "Chuck" ranked #2 in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, total viewers and most other key measures.

Monday at 9 p.m. ET, "Heroes" (3.7/9 in adults 18-49, 7.9 million viewers overall) hit its highest 18-49 rating in seven weeks (since October 27). "Heroes" ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49 and #1 in adults and men 18-34. "Heroes" built on its lead-in from the previous hour by 41 percent in 18-49 rating.

It is worth noting that "Heroes" has been adding an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "Heroes" has been adding an average 1.7 million viewers overall to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Heroes" is the third most time-shifted primetime series on the major networks (trailing only "The Office" and "Lipstick Jungle"), gaining 47 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Also of note, "Heroes" is the #8-ranked primetime program season-to-date in adults 18-49 and the #7 show in adults 18-34. It is one of the youngest dramas on any major network (with a median age of 36.9 years).

On Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 8-10 p.m. ET, the finale of "The Biggest Loser 6" (4.6/12 in 18-49, 11.8 million viewers overall) delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating in this time period with entertainment programming since November 29, 2005 and the network's biggest overall viewership in the slot with entertainment programming since August 21, 2007. "The Biggest Loser" was the #1 program on the broadcast networks Tuesday night in primetime's key demographic of adults 18-49. It ranked #1 from 8-10 p.m. in adults 18-49 and other key measures, including adults, men and women 18-34 and men and women 18-49, against competition that included first-run episodes of CBS's "NCIS" and "The Mentalist" and ABC's encore telecast of the holiday special "A Charlie Brown Christmas."

It is worth noting that the "Biggest Loser 6" finale outperformed the finale of CBS's "Survivor: Gabon," which aired two nights earlier, in adults 18-49 (4.6/12 vs. a 4.4/10 for "Survivor: Gabon" on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008). This marks the first time that a "Loser" finale has topped a "Survivor" finale during the same quarter in primetime's key demographic.

The finale of "The Biggest Loser 6" generated the series' biggest overall viewership since the finale of "The Biggest Loser 2" on November 29, 2005. In adults 18-49, this finale matches the show's highest 18-49 rating since the finale of "The Biggest Loser 3" on December 13, 2006. Versus the most recent "Biggest Loser 5" finale on April 15, this telecast increased by 5 percent in 18-49 rating (4.6 vs. 4.4) and 4 percent in total viewers (11.8 million vs. 11.4 million). In series averages, "The Biggest Loser 6" topped the year-ago cycle of "Loser" by 3 percent in 18-49 rating (3.5 vs. 3.4, "most current") and finished 5 percent ahead of the year-ago cycle in total viewers (8.5 million vs. 8.2 million).

From its first half-hour to its fourth, "Biggest Loser" increased by 47 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 5.3/13 from a 3.6/10) and by 31 percent or 3.1 million persons in total viewers (to 13.1 million from 10.0 million).

Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, a preview telecast of the new series "Momma's Boys" (2.5/7 in 18-49, 6.0 million viewers overall) ranked #1 in the time period among the broadcast networks in adults, men and women 18-34 and #2 in adults, men and women 18-49.

NBC won Tuesday night in adults 18-49 with its highest nightlong Tuesday average (a 3.9/10), excluding news and sports coverage, since April 15.

On Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 8-9 p.m. ET, the special "A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa" (2.4/7 in 18-49, 7.5 million viewers overall) won its time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, kids 2-11, total viewers and other key measures, topping such original programming as CBS's "Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried," ABC's "Pushing Daisies" and Fox's "Secret Millionaire." The special scored NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the slot in 11 weeks (since October 1).

Wednesday at 9 p.m., "Life" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 5.2 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in all key adult-male demographics � men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54. It is worth noting that "Life" has been adding an average 22 percent to its 18-49 rating when going from "live plus same day" to "live plus seven day" results. In total viewers, "Life" has been adding an average 870,000 viewers overall to its previously reported "live plus same day" numbers. Counting all time-shifting (going from "live only" to "live plus seven"), "Life" is gaining 38 percent in 18-49 when going from "live only" to "live plus seven."

Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET, "Law & Order" (2.0/6 in 18-49, 7.0 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54, total viewers and most key measures. From its first half-hour to its second, "Law & Order" increased by 17 percent in 18-49 rating (to a 2.1/6 from a 1.8/5) and by 11 percent in total viewers (to 7.4 million from 6.7 million).

On Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "My Name is Earl" (1.7/6, 4.8 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time slot in adults 18-49 and other key measures. At 8:30 p.m., a rebroadcast of "Kath & Kim" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) retained 100 percent of its lead-in from "Earl" in both adults 18-49 and adults 18-34. "Kath & Kim" ranked #2 in the half-hour in adults 18-49 and #1 in women 18-34 (tied).

Thursday from 9-9:31 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "The Office" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 3.9 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period among adults 18-49 and #1 in adults, men and women 18-34. From 9:31-10 p.m., a rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.6 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the half-hour in adults 18-49, adults 18-34, adults 25-54 and other key measures. From 10-10:30 p.m. a second rebroadcast of "30 Rock" (1.7/5 in 18-49, 4.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in adults 18-49 and adults 18-34 and #1 in men 18-34 (tied). From 10:30-11 p.m., an encore telecast of "The Office' (1.6/5 in 18-49, 3.8 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the slot in adults 18-49 and most key measures and #1 among men 18-34.

On Friday, Dec. 19 from 8-9 p.m. ET, an encore telecast of "Momma's Boys" averaged an 0.9/3 in 18-49 and 2.9 million viewers overall.

Friday from 9-11 p.m. ET, "Dateline NBC" (1.5/5 in 18-49, 6.3 million viewers overall) ranked #2 in the time period in adults 18-49, adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures, delivering NBC's biggest overall audience in the time period since October 17.

On Saturday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. ET, "Crusoe" averaged a 0.4/1 in 18-49 and 2.4 million viewers overall. At 9 p.m., the special "WWE Salute to the Troops" (0.9/3 in 18-49, 2.9 million viewers overall) increased from its first half-hour to its second by 13 percent in adults 18-49 (to a 0.9 from a 0.8), by 22 percent in men 18-49 (1.1 vs. 0.9) and by 25 percent in men 18-34 (1.0 vs. 0.8). At 10 p.m., an encore telecast of "Law & Order: SVU" averaged a 1.1/3 in 18-49 and 4.4 million viewers overall, finishing within one share of the time-period lead in adults 18-49 and ranked #1 among the broadcast networks in men 25-54.

On Sunday, Dec. 21, the "NBC Sunday Night Football" telecast of the Carolina Panthers at the New York Giants averaged a 6.8/18 in adults 18-49, 18.9 million viewers overall and an 11.5/19 household rating/share for its full duration from 8:24-11:35 p.m. ET.

Sunday's Panthers-Giants game was up 36 percent in 18-49 rating and 34 percent or 4.8 million persons in total viewers versus the comparable game last year (a 5.0/15 in 18-49 and 14.1 million viewers overall for the Redskins-Vikings on December 23, 2007).

"NBC Sunday Night Football" was the #1 primetime telecast on Sunday in adults 18-49, total viewers and virtually all key measures, propelling NBC to a Sunday night win in adults, men and women 18-49, adults, men and women 18-34, adults, men and women 25-54 and total viewers. For the night (from 7:30-11 p.m. ET), NBC averaged a 5.5/15 in 18-49 and 15.5 million viewers overall.

Also on Sunday, "Football Night in America 2" from 7:30-7:58 p.m. ET averaged a 1.8/5 in 18-49, 5.0 million viewers overall and a 3.3/6 household rating/share. "Football Night in America 3" from 7:58-8:15 p.m. delivered a 3.2/9 in 18-49, 9.4 million viewers overall and a 5.9/10 in households. From 8:15-8:24 p.m., "NBC Sunday Night Football Pre Kickoff" averaged a 4.2/12 in 18-49, 12.5 million viewers overall and a 7.6/13 in households. Note: "Football Night in America" from 7-7:30 p.m. ET was sustaining programming and does not figure in the nightly or weekly primetime averages.